Description
A flavorful and easy-to-make Pizza Parmesan Chicken recipe featuring breaded chicken breasts baked to perfection, topped with marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni for a delicious pizza-inspired dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 ounces each)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Toppings and Garnishes
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (12 ounces)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ cup marinara sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 16 slices pepperoni
- Small fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a 10×17 inch baking dish. Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness, about ¾ inch, ensuring they cook evenly.
- Bread Chicken: Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with whisked eggs mixed with fresh lemon juice, one with all-purpose flour, and one with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, dried Italian seasoning, grated Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and kosher salt. Dip each chicken breast first into the egg mixture, then dredge in flour, dip again in the egg mixture, and finally coat completely in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Assemble and Bake: Arrange the breaded chicken breasts in the greased baking dish. Scatter the cherry tomatoes around the chicken, drizzle with olive oil, and season everything with salt and pepper. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes to partially cook the chicken and soften the tomatoes.
- Top and Finish: Remove the baking dish from the oven and spread marinara sauce evenly over each chicken breast. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top and add pepperoni slices. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish the baked chicken with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately for a delicious pizza-inspired chicken meal.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are pounded evenly to avoid uneven cooking.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
- Cooking times may vary depending on chicken thickness; always check internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture or use spicy pepperoni.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
